Mamili ng Isang Lalaki, Karen

Ikalabing-apat na Gatas

Ikalabing-apat na Gatas

"Lola, kumain ka na ba? Wag ka masyado magpakapagod. Tandaan mo, matanda ka na. Wag ka mauna. Magkasama pa tayong tatanda."

"Baliw!" I gave out a laugh. I felt my cheeks heat because of what he said. Juicecolored! Bakir ganyan ka, Xavier?!

"Mas baliw ka! Sige na, bye na. Kumain ka na, okay?" Then he ended the call.

His confession on his birthday didn't affect our friendship. In fact, mas tumibay pa nga. He said he wasn't going to court me yet since ayaw niya naman magmadali. But I must say that he became more vocal.

I decided to clean my unit since I wasn't going to do anything today. X and I were supposed to go out with Charm today but the it was cancelled. May isang recording company kasi na tumawag kay X and I told him he should go there instead. Si Charm naman, may date ng boyfriend niya.

Nagwalis ako at nagpunas sa ilang furnitures. Pinunasan ko ang screen ng TV namin at nakita ko ang reflection ko.

"Hindi ko naman kailangan uminom ng gatas ah? Hindi naman ako payatot. Sexy ko kaya. Maganda pa!" I said at my reflection.

Nagpunas ako sa pinagpapatungan ng picture frames namin. "Ang cute mo pala noon pa."

Napalingon ako sa likod ko pero wala namang tao. Shit, bakit parang narinig ko yung boses ni Clarence? Patay na ba siya at nagpaparamdam sa'kin?

Aish, Karen! Sira ka talaga. I shaked my head and continued wiping. Nang matapos kong magpunas sa labas, dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko. Napansin ko yung isang box sa gilid na nakatabi.

Memories of SicRen was written on the paper sticked on top of it. I opened the box at doon ko nakita ang mga trineasure ko na remembrances.

Una kong nakita yung una niyang love letter sa akin. Mas maganda pa ang handwriting niya sakin, pero mas maganda ako sa kanya. Sunod kong nakita yung picture niya na nakasuot ng dress tapos naka-pout ang lips. I remember this one. Eto yung time na pinag-dress up ko siya. At huli kong nakita yung picture naming dalawa noong nagpunta kami sa Bicol. Nakangiti ako dito habang si Sic naman, nakahawak sa bewang ko.

I remember that day clearly. Nag-away pa kami dahil sa binili kong kulay ng souvenir shirt for him. Binili ko siya ng kulay blue, eh ang gusto niya pala, pink. Pesteng bakla yun, pinalipad ba naman sa labas ng sasakyan? Ang sabi niya pa sa akin, "Ewan ko sa'yo. Sinabi nang yung pink ang gusto ko. Mas maganda ako--este maganda sa akin yung pink! Bagay sa kulay ko!"

Now that I think of it, bakla nga talaga si Sic bago ba siya mag-propose sa akin. Feeling ko tuloy, inisip niya na baka mawala yung kabaklaan niya kung magpapakasal kami. Kaso, narealize niya din na hindi niya masikmura na isasawsaw niya ang talong niya sa bagoong ko.

Pero siguro, kung hindi lang naging bakla si Sic? Kasal na kami ngayon at masayang nagmamahalan. If you'd ask me, hindi ako mahihiya na nagkaroon ako ng fiancée na bakla. Siya ang mahiya na nagka-fiancée siya--magandang fiancée.

Ibinalik ko na yung mga gamit sa box. Gosh, trip to memory lane ang peg ko kanina.

From: Vocal Chords
It's boring in here. Tss. Have you eaten already? Inom gatas. Ly.

Ly? Is that an acronym for Love You? I don't think so. Baka naman Lola You or Lampa You? Baliw ka talaga, Karen. A smile formed on my lips. X and his ways.

**

I went straight to the mall to eat lunch and to shop na rin. Sawa na ako sa fastfood so I settled for Banana Leaf. 

I was silently finishing my plate when I saw a familiar silhouette. I zeroed on her and I noticed it was Dana. But who was she with?

How would I know kung hindi ako lalapit diba? I stood up and went to their table. Her companion's back was facing me. "Hi, Dana!" I greeted her. She shifted her gaze on me. "Karen! Join us!"

I sat on the chair adjacent to Dana's companion. And when I looked at her, hell. I just want to stuff her face with rotten bananas!

"Hi there, Karen," bati niya sa'kin pero halata 'yung pang-aasar niya. Kung siya naasar, ako naman, nanggagalaiti. Pakiramdam ko may mali sa babaeng 'to.

"So, Karen. Kumain ka na ba?" Dana asked politely. I nodded.

"Dana naman, what's the use in asking? Halata naman sa tummy niya. Pumuputok na yung dress," Jessica commented and smirked at me.

Dana laughed. Akala niya yata joke yung sinabi ni Jessica. "You really are funny, Jess! Sexy kaya si Karen!"

"Oo nga naman, Jessica. I'm naturally sexy. Ikaw? Magkano ba binayad mo kay Belo?" I retorted. That made her frown. Point goes to you Karen.

Dana laughed again. Seryoso, I'm starting to think that this woman is crazy. Huwag niyang isisisi sa pregnancy hormones niya. Saksak ko baba niya sa kanya eh.

"Chill, girls. Let's just order some desserts. Treat ko na." Dana called for the waitress. "Three of your special dessert, please. Thank you."

Umalis na yung waitress to get our orders. Dana excused herself. Call of nature level 1 daw kasi. Sasabihin lang na naiihi eh.

"Clarence is really sweet. Alam mo bang he brought me to Oceanarium then we tried the Shark Experience? Gosh, he hugged me tight 'cause I was so scared," she bragged.

I smiled at her, trying to hide the irritation and jealousy. "Oh? Buti hindi niya pinakain sa shark?"

She crossed her arms. Sakto naman na dumating yung order namin. Champorado with a twist.

"Jess, para kang champorado."

She smiled sweetly. "Because I'm sweet? I know, Karen. Kaya nga hindi ako maiwan ni Clarence eh."

"Hindi ah. Kasi kahit anong lagay ng gatas sa champorado, hindi mo maaalis yung fact na color brown ang base color niyan. Parang ikaw. Kahit anong retoke  pa ipagawa mo, pangit ka pa rin."

She stood up from her seat and pointed her finger at me. Ohh, takot ako.

"Whatever you say, Karen. Clarence is mine now and I will make sure that he'll always be mine. You're just one of his toys." She took the spoon and ate a spoonful of champorado. Tapos nag-walk out.

Kapal ng mukha ng babaeng 'to. If I know, pinapaasa lang din 'to ni Clarence. Come on, Karen. Just because he showed you false feelings, ganun na rin gagawin niya sa iba.

Ayan ang mali sa tao eh. Mahilig sa hasty generalization. Porke't nasaktan tayo, iniisip agad natin na lahat na pare-pareho. Tapos sa huli, magrereklamo tayo kasi wala tayong mahanap na perfect match para sa atin.

"Where is Jessica?" tanong ni Dana na kababalik lang.

"Church," I answered nonchalantly.

"Church? What for?"

"Maghihintay ng himala."

"Ha? I don't get it."

"Nothing, Dana. Ask your chin. Maybe it can give you an answer. Excuse me, I have to go now. Thanks for the treat, but I'm full. Order ka kasi ng order eh, hindi ka man lang nagtatanong."

Then I stood up and walked out. I need X's comforting and soothing voice now. Badly.